Proposed condo project, other project issues fill Waukon Council agenda

by Dwight Jones

The Waukon City Council met in regular session the evening of Monday, June 7 with the full Council in attendance. Under the Public Comments portion of the meeting, Steve Pladsen addressed the Council on some issues that had arisen within the paving project at the R.W. Pladsen vehicle lot being completed in conjunction with the infrastructure work being done in the same area by the City.  Pladsen was simply updating the Council and no action was needed nor taken.
Under Department Reports, Chief of Police Clark Bollman shared information on a recent project his department was involved in to rid homes of outdated or unneeded prescription drugs. The project, done in conjunction with Helping Services, Waukon Harley Davidson, the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, and Veterans Memorial Hospital, collected 48 pounds of prescription drugs that will now be destroyed.
Water and Sewer Superintendent Bob Campbell gave the Council an update on the need to do work near the water and sewer plant along the creek to address areas where the creek bank has eroded. No action was taken.
Street Superintendent Randy Murphy then shared information regarding the ongoing problem of water run-off near the Mick Sweeney property on the northwest side of town. City Engineer Lyle TeKippe explained further that “water starts at the county shop, works through the mobile home park and exits in an erosive manner”. Councilman Joe Cunningham explained that this has been an issue for some time, and suggested revisiting the idea of a retention pond, possibly on Sweeney’s property, that would allow the water to disperse at a slow level. Cunningham suggested the project could possibly be a shared cost situation between several parties involved. Talks regarding the issue will continue.
Moving on to Regular Business, Jeff Nelson with Iowa Grant Trucking was in attendance requesting the City reimburse his bid bond from the bid he submitted but then retracted for the 9th Street SW Utility Improvements Project.  According to Nelson, there were two errors that totaled roughly $165,000, and he had no choice but to remove the bid. The Council appeared to appreciate the explanation and agreed to return the bid bond as requested.

Next, Tamie Onsager was in attendance along with her siblings, Deb Maxon and Becky Welper, to once again ask the City to address the issues of noise from the cooling system at the Waukon Wellness Center. Their parents, who have now passed away, had lived in a house near the Center prior to their passing and experienced problems sleeping, etc. due to the noise produced by the cooling system. The four remaining children now own the property, but are concerned that they will not be able to sell it until the problem is corrected.
The Council had addressed the issue last fall, but had tabled it due to the fact that the cooler weather at that time wouldn’t allow the system to run in order to do decibel testing. Onsager stated that she “had been very patient in the past, but it’s time to get this done (fixed) and move forward”. Onsager and Maxon did much of the talking, requesting that something be done within the next 30 days. Cunningham and other councilmen explained that the problem is unique and not necessarily easy to remedy, though they all agreed that the issue would get addressed and a fix sought out. The next step would be to find funding for the necessary changes needed. Design concerns that allow small children to enter the fenced off areas were also brought to the Council’s attention, and they agreed to address those as well.
Next, Danielle Bucknell with the Waukon Wellness Center was in attendance to request the closing of 13th Street NW for two to three hours June 26 for the Center's Midnight Streak Four-Mile Run and One-Mile Kids Fun Run.  The request was approved.
The Council then approved the hiring of Chad Dugan to fill the position of Police Officer, made possible by the recent retirement of Ken Lough. Dugan will be hired by terms set forth within the union contract. The Council then approved the hiring of Mitch Moose and Nick Hatlan by the Water/Sewer and Street Departments, respectively, as summer help.
Campbell then gave the City information on bids for a retaining wall he had received for work near the reservoir at the well and water tower located near the fairgrounds.  The Council asked TeKippe to review the bids to make certain the work being proposed is in line with the work needed, which he agreed to do and will report back at an upcoming meeting.

Next, a lengthy discussion took place between local businessman Dick Sullivan and the Council regarding a proposed condominium project Sullivan is looking to move forward with at his current parking lot property across from the post office on Main Street. The third and final reading of the proposed zoning change was in front of the Council, and Cunningham explained that he had met individually with Sullivan and simply did not have enough information regarding his plans to make a decision and was suggesting the vote be tabled. Sullivan responded that he was “not going to spend the money” for developing detailed plans until he knew for certain that the re-zoning request would be approved.
The Council appeared mixed on support of the project, with some believing it was a “win-win” and others feeling it was an inappropriate project for that parcel of property. After much discussion, a vote of 3-2 approved the tabling of the issue for two weeks while more information could be reviewed. Councilmen Trent Mitchell and Dave Sanderson provided the no votes.
The Council then approved a subdivision plat submitted by Dick Bloxham addressing an alley on his property.
Cunningham then updated the rest of the Council on a meeting that was held last week regarding the proposed Bresnahan subdivision. Watershed issues from the property were again a concern, and the sub-committee asked TeKippe to again review the details. Work will continue on the project.
The Council then approved the $5,000 request by Northeast Iowa Community Action toward the purchase of a lot for the construction of a low to moderate income home project. The Council did, however, express concerns about the lot that had been proposed and would only approve the spend if it was felt the lot chosen was appropriate.
Mayor Loren Beneke then shared information with the Council from a meeting he attended last week regarding a proposed county-wide hazard mitigation plan, and after discussing the details, the Councils approved the Mayor moving forward with including the City of Waukon as part of the plan. Currently each city, in addition to the County, has its own individual plan and coordinating resources seemed like a good idea to the Council.
Following several “house-cleaning” items, the Council then discussed a pair of two-foot wide sections that had been left unpaved near the municipal parking lot built at the former Wild Willy’s property as a possible “green zone”. The Council discussed what could be done with them, whether it be planting grass, flowers, etc. Anyone from the public with ideas or proposals for the area is encouraged to contact either the mayor or a council member.
To close the meeting, a few concerns were raised by members of the Council. Mitchell stated that he had concerns about workers at the softball complex drinking beer while working, and would address it with the Park Board. Cunningham explained that he has received numerous nuisance complaints for long grass, junk cars in yards, etc., and proposed a work session to discuss the ongoing problem of addressing these issues.